State judicial commission will get earful on the Keller case June 18

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct set a June 18 hearing in the continuing case of Presiding Judge Sharon Keller of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Keller was accused of bringing “public discredit” to the judiciary by not accepting a last-minute appeal from death-row inmate Michael Wayne Richard before his 2007 execution.

A special master who heard the case, however, found that she didn’t violate any rules or laws. While saying she could have handled things better, the special master said Richard’s defense team bore the bulk of the blame in the matter.

Keller and her prosecutors each filed objections to the ruling, which was forwarded to the commission.

The commission set the June 18 public hearing to hear from each side.

It will decide whether to dismiss the charges, reprimand Keller or recommend that the Texas Supreme Court remove her from office.